Matt Cherubino

Matt Cherubino is a modern-day life architect. As an adventure and lifestyle photographer, he’s grabbed life by the horns and has allowed his passion for travel, along with his growing set of photography clients, to choose his next destination. He’s determined to chase his own happiness no matter what the cost, a quest that has sent him far and wide, always with camera in hand.

Whether his feet are hanging over a cliff, his lens splashed with saltwater, his hair blowing in a wintry wind, or his tent dimly lit under a waxing moon, the only thing you can be sure to expect from Matt Cherubino is the unexpected. Join 50,000+ others and take part in his journey to happiness on Instagram.

I’m Matt Cherubino, and this is How I Travel.

What do you love most about traveling?

Uncertainty.

No matter how much you pack, prepare and plan, travel always has other ideas, both good and bad. That’s what I love about it: you never know who or what you may encounter along the way. Routine is the source of boredom, yet travel has no restrictions or timeframe; it’s completely up to you how you want to play it out. I think that’s why it resonates so well with me. Not knowing what might be around the next corner leaves me on edge, which is a feeling I love to experience whenever I travel. There are so many ups and downs that occur along the way, and that’s what makes each trip and experience unique and exciting.

Once you let go and embrace spontaneous ideas and actions, the door opens to opportunities that never would’ve presented themselves otherwise. The best moments are those you least expect.

How has travel changed you as a person?

Happiness; there’s something contagious about it. I’ve decided to base my movements, actions and plans around this one emotion for the simple reason that I feel better spending my time doing what I love! I have no ambition to chase tangible items or fall into a lifestyle that doesn’t allow me to do what makes me happy; instead, by following my happiness, I’ve developed a greater clarity towards how I want to live my life. Travel has taught me to think with an open mind and see the bigger picture. Whatever the future holds, I’m devoted to continuing my journey to improving myself as a photographer and as a person, but above all, I’m going to have fun along the way.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned through all your travels?

For me, I’ve learned the importance of enjoying the present moment. Although it’s so simple, this lesson has taught me to not hold back on opportunities and take more calculated risks towards pursuing my passions. Travel has shown me how to live in the moment and manifest the reality of my dreams and aspirations as they come forward, rather than leaving them as a distant goal to be attempted in a year’s time. Risking failure will always hold greater value to me than never trying – not trying at all is something I can’t afford to live with. I’m forever grateful of the path this mentality has put me on.

What’s the one travel experience/story that has had the biggest impact on you?

It’s really hard to pinpoint one particular moment that’s impacted me more than another, since I find that I come out of every single experience with a better understanding of myself. Each location, country and culture leaves a unique impression on me, so rather than a single moment having a huge impact, it’s more of an incremental process that has shaped my perception of the world around me.

From watching sunrises all over the world to the seeing the Milky Way bend through the night’s sky, each experience has played a role in creating my story. Many times I’ve been left speechless or crying with laughter, like the time we lost the van keys in the snow at night in New Zealand’s Remarkables mountain range during a “locksmith’s convention”….. but that’s a story for another time!

When I’m on the road, I know my LaCie Rugged is always taking care of my memories, even if nature has other ideas. And to be honest, I’d rather lose my passport than this little guy. You can even run it over with a car! It’s a must bring when I travel.

Long drives and glaring roads are regular occurrences in my trips, so these Ray-Bans make driving just a little bit easier. They have been bashed around and still seem to be in one piece (knock on wood…).

For when I get a little carried away… Whether it be navigating and reading maps at night or finding that spot before sunrise, this thing has saved me – except for when I forget the spare batteries – but that’s all part of the fun!

We are fellow travellers, having given up jobs and most of our stuff. We are a bit older than you, but at large in the world and blogging and photographing to document the experience. Have good journeys and check out our blog.